Method of construction and structure resulting therefrom



1939 v H. B LITTLEFIELD 2,178,667

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURE RESULTING THEREFROM Filed Feb. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l4 INVENTOR Hr B. Lflefie I NOV. 7, 1939. H B LlTTLEHELD 2.178.667

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURE RESULTING THEREFROM I Filed Feb. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1939.. B n- ELD 2,178.66

METHOD 01 CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURE RESULTING THEREFROM Filed Fb. 27, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR Patented Nov. 7, 1939 .PATENT OFFlCE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION AND STRUC- TUBE RESULTING THEREFROM Plains, N. Y.

Application February 27, 1937, Serial No. 128,123

'7 Claims.

My invention relates to a method of constructing structure useful for a variety of load supporting purposes, of decorative purposes, or in many instances, of a combination of both purposes. It also relates to the structure resulting from practice of the method.

A main objective of the invention is to provide a method whereby construction may be accomplished according to a predetermined plan, the plan, however, affording a wide range of variations in its practical exemplifications. Particular instances of the latter depend upon the scheme of construction decided to be best adapted for accomplishing the structural result desired, without departing from the scope of the plan.

By the practice of my method I am able to produce structures useful as load-supporting skeleton-networks for building construction, as well as structures having, as an excuse for being, only the pure artistry of their creation. As examples of the first instance, are reinforcing structural networks for incorporation in certain types of wall and floor construction, and for application in the field of landscape architecture as trellises for growing plants. As examples of the second instance are networks of structural members forming decorative arches, columns, etc., which coact with applied decorative material and/or lighting for the production of artistic effects per se.

In principle my method involves the use of two solid geometrical figures as primary building forms, namely, a regular tetrahedron, and a pyramid having a right-angled vertex and a face coextensive in area and identical in configuration with respective faces of the tetrahedron. 'I'he two forms are combined in indefinite expansion by coextensive coincidence of two of their faces. In any given construction, these forms may be of any desired dimensions so long as the respective forms remain constant relative to one another in the required manner.

The above described plan of construction is made definite in scope by the inherent limitation of possible combination of the two forms. Practically, the plan is restricted in its fulfillment of indefinite expansion only by the extent of the usable variations of possible combination of the two forms. The plan is general, and applies to all constructions contemplated by the present invention.

The plan of construction permits of a wide variety of particular schemes of construction. The scheme of construction is specific to the 55. particular physical embodiment desired, and is usually determined in advance of the commencement of the work of construction.

According to the plan of construction, either the tetrahedron or the right-angled pyramid is selected as the commencement form. Either tetrahedrons, or right-angled pyramids, of suitable dimension, are added to the commencement form in indefinite sequence according to the particular scheme of the construction.

If a tetrahedron is selected as the commencement form, additional tetrahedrons may be sequentially built out therefrom indefinitely, each tetrahedron having one face coincident with a face of an added tetrahedron. The symmetry of the faces permit such indefinite expansion.

Right-angled pyramids may be added to all faces of the commencement tetrahedron. In this case the next form or set of forms added must be rightangled pyramids, since there will be no exposed face capable of coinciding with a face of a tetrahedron. The succeeding form or set of forms may be of the nature of rightangled pyramids or tetrahedrons, or a combination of both, according to the particular scheme of construction. The form or sets of forms added thereafter will comprise forms capable of coinciding with the exposed faces of the perviously applied form or set of forms.

A combination of right-angled pyramids and tetrahedrons may be added to the commencement tetrahedron, the type of each succeeding form or set of forms added thereafter being determined by the types of faces exposed by the previously applied form or set of forms.

'If a right-angled pyramid is selected as the commencement form, three right-angled pyramids and one tetrahedron may be added as the next set of forms. The type of succeeding forms or sets of forms will be determined by the types of faces exposed by the previously added forms or sets of forms.

Additional structure of like nature may be incorporated in the construction by adding forms of either tetrahedron or right-angled pyramid configuration by secureinent of a vertex only of the added form to a free vertex of the construction, or an edge only of the added form to a free edge of the construction.

In this manner a variety of schemes of construction are afforded by a common plan of procedure. The physical characteristics of any particular construction will depend entirely upon the scheme adopted.

In carrying out my method in practice, I prefer to utilize lengths of material, as for instance rods of metal, predetermined in dimensions and made standard for any given type of construction. Six of the rods are associated to produce the desired geometrical commencement unit, either a tetrahedron or a right-angled pyramid in form. Groups of three rods each are associated proximate respective faces of the commencement unit for adding the appropriate form of unit thereto. Thus, three additional unit faces will be exposed. These will permit of the addition of three more groups of rods to produce three new units, the forms of the additional units depending upon the configuration of the respective faces to which they are applied and/or upon the specification of the particular sch of construction. In such manner, any sch struction can be carried through along prescribed lines.

I prefer to secure to ends of associated rods that meet at a common point to one another by means of a fastening device of universal application in the present method. This device cooperates with fastening elements secured to respective ends of the rods in effecting rigid and strong secureinent of associated rod ends to one another.

It is to be noted that the tetrahedron referred to in both the specification and claims is a regular tetrahedron, that is, one in which all faces are equilateral triangles. Also, the term right-angled pyramid is applicants chosen descriptive terminology for an irregular tetrahedron or pyramid having three faces formed by right-triangles whose right-angled vertices meet to form the apex of the pyramid. Wherever the terminology right-angled pyramid appears in the specification and claims, its meaning is to be limited as above explained.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a structure erected pursuant to a preferred practice of the present method. The structure is utilized as a trellis for a hedge of growing plants.

Fig. 2 represents a plan of an ornamental structure fabricated pursuant to a preferred practice of the present method.

Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the structure of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 represents a front elevation of the structure of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective a commencement unit having a set of units added thereto.

Fig. 6 illustrates one type of rod structural element for use pursuant to a preferred practice of the present invention.

Fig. 61 illustrates a second type of rod structural element for use pursuant to a preferred practice of the present invention.

Fig. '7 represents a horizontal section taken on the line 'il, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a device for fastening associated ends of associated rods together. In this case the beginning vertex of a commencement unit is represented as secured by the fastening device.

Fig. 9 represents a bottom plan view of the fastening device illustrated in Fig. 8 as there disposed.

Fig. 10 illustrates in bottom perspective a fastening element secured to one end of a rod of addition for, in co-operation with the device of Figs. 8 and 9, securing the end of that rod to the already secured rod ends with which it is to be associated.

Fig. 11 illustrates two fastening devices, each similar to that of Fig. 8, but aligned end to end integrally for providing the addition of a form, at a free vertex only, of already assembled construction.

Fig. 12 illustrates geometrically the principle of indefinite expansion according to the plan of the present method.

Referring to the drawings:-the general plan of procedure pursuant to the present method of construction may be understood by the illustration of Fig. 12.

Two fundamental types of units having the geometrical forms respectively of a tetrahedron, and of a pyramid having a right-angled apex and a base identical in area and configuration with the respective faces of the tetrahedron are combined in sequential expansion according to a particular scheme of construction. For any given structure a definite correlated size is selected for the two types of units, and all units of the structure are sized accordingly.

Either the tetrahedron or the right-angled pyramid may be selected as the commencement unit upon which further structure is built. In the present instance, a tetrahedron l0, defined by heavy solid lines, forms the commencement unit.

Development of the structure from this beginning stage may involve the addition of either tetrahedrons or right angled pyramids, or a combination of both to the unit it. Such additional units are applied, respectively, to the respective faces of the commencement unit so that the latter and each added unit will have a face in common and mutually co-extensive.

In the present instance tetrahedrons comprise the added units. They are defined by light solid lines and are indicated by the numeral I I.

The added set of units present additional exposed faces on which it is possible to build by adding appropriate units in the manner described. A set of units added sequentially is illustrated, the added units being defined by dotted lines and being indicated by the numeral l2. In the illustrated instance, the added units comprise rightangled pyramids.

In the above manner a structure whose physical characteristics are predetermined by a particular scheme of construction may be provided according to the constructional requirements of the general plan of the present method.

The particular scheme of construction may be directed toward a reinforcing network for application in building construction. In Fig. 1 is illustrated a reinforcing network employed as a trellis for growing plants, as for instance the hedge indicated at l3. The net work comprises the tetrahedrons A and the right-angled pyramids B combined sequentially and symmetrically. Both the tetrahedrons A and the right-angled pyramids B are combined and secured to one another as disclosed hereinafter. As in the case of the structure illustrated in Fig. l, the component tetrahedrons A and right-angled pyramids B are illustrated as formed from rectilinear structural elements ll.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a structure pursuant to the present invention, essentially artistic in nature. It may be used ornamentally in a variety of ways, and may have incorporated therein for enhanced artistic effect, auxiliary ornaments, such as the glass globes i l. Component units of the structure, as for instance the right-angled pyramids B, may be secured to any appropriate support in any convenient manner.

In practice, I prefer to fabricate the network from a plurality of structural elements of predetermined standard sizes. The structural elements are preferably rods of metal, as indicated at 51, Fig. 5. Six of the rods are associated to form the commencement unit A, which here has the form of a tetrahedron. Expansion of the construction according to the general plan of the present method involves adding a group or groups of three rods to a face or faces of the unit A. The added units here illustrated are in the form of right-angled pyramids, indicated at B. The figure formed thereby is symmetrical. Expansion of the unit along lines prescribed by the scheme of construction being followed, may be continued indefinitely in the above described manner.

Fastening of the associated ends of the associated rods is preferably accomplished by means of a special fastening device utilized in cooperation with fastening elements secured to the respective ends of the rods.

In Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive, are illustrated embodiments of fastening means preferably employed, and the manner of use thereof.

Figs. 6 and 6-1 are illustrative of the two types of rods employed. The rod I8 is employed for a commencement unit and has secured at its opposite ends fastening elements lila. The rod i9 is employed as a rod of addition, and has at one end the fastening element Eta and at its other end a fastening element 19a. Each type of rod is supplied in two lengths for any given scheme of construction so that both the tetrahedron and right angled pyramid forms may be used.

The fastening element la is preferably of a fiat-hook shape as illustrated, with its hook end directed toward the body of the rod. It may be shaped from a fiat strip of metal and be welded to the rod.

The fastening element iiia is a metal plate usually of equilateral triangular configuration arcuated in the form of a portion of the surface of a sphere, the exact curvature depends upon the curvature of a corresponding metal plate member of the fastening device to be hereinafter described and with which it coordinates. The exact triangular configuration depends upon its position in the structure. A stem portion l9a is conveniently provided for securing the element l9a with its concave face directed toward the near end of the rod.

The fastening device employed for securing associated ends of rods 59 includes an independent metal plate 2!], see Figs. 8 and 9, equilaterally triangular in shape and curved according to a portion of the surface of a sphere. The curvature of the plate 20 and the plate i9a should be substantially similar. The plate 26 is provided with a centrally located perforation 2|, and with a perforation 22 in each vertex.

In assembling the commencement unit, such as the one illustrated at A, Fig. 5, three of the rods I8 are associated with their ends 88a substantially meeting at a common point. The hooked ends of respective fastening elements We; of associated rods are inserted into the perforation 2! of a plate 20, and a screw bolt 23 is passed through the perforation and screwed tight in its component nut 23a to effect rigid securement of the associated rod ends.

The commencement unit may be completed by connecting the free ends of the associated rods l8 with the ends of three other rods i8 by use of plates 2!] and screw-bolts 23 as set forth above.

Accordingly, means are provided at each vertex of the commencement unit whereby rods of addition it may be secured in expanding the construction according to the plan.

The rod [9 is adapted for service as a rod of addition for securement at a vertex of the commencement unit in forming an additional unit. The fastening element l9a, i. e. the usually equilaterally triangular plate secured to an end of rod i9 is provided with a perforation 25 at each vertex. In securing the rod I9 to a vertex of the commencement unit, the vertex of the plate Hid which is farthest removed from the location of attachment to the rod i9, see Figs. 9 and 10 taken together, is placed in overlapping relationship with a free vertex of a plate 20 and with its perforation 25 in registry with the perforation 22. A screw-bolt may be passed through the aligned perforations to complete the securement. In like manner other rods It may be added to the commencement unit, the free ends of such rods which meet at a common vertex location being fastened together by means of the fastening device illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. Other rods may be added to the thus formed structure according to the particular scheme of construction adopted.

The exact configuration, curvature and disposition of the plates l9a of the rods l9 and the plates 26 of the fastening devices will be determined by the nature of the construction.

The rods i3 and I9 are each prepared in two predetermined lengths for any given construction, one length for use in forming the tetrahedron form of unit and the two lengths for use in forming the right-angled pyramid form of unit. Construction according to the present method will then involve merely the selection of the proper standard rods for use in the assembly of the structure contemplated.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated a fastening device essentially similar to that of Figs. 8 and 9. This device, however, is provided with an elongated screw-bolt 3!) threaded at opposite ends and equipped at each end with a complete set of appurtenant fastening means inclusive of equilaterally triangular plates 3! and 32, respectively, and associated sets 33 and 34, respectively, of lock ng nuts. Such device is adapted for use at vertex locations of the construction where it is desired to tie in additional units with the construction solely at such vertex locations, without coincidence of faces of adjacent units.

While the structural elements of the invention have been illustrated as cylindrical rods, it is obvious that rods of other configurations, such as polygonal, helical, etc., may be suitable for the purpose.

Whereas this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be d stinctly understood that changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A structure comprising a group of three substantially rectilinear elements, an end of each of the elements of the group meeting at a location in common with an end of the other two elements of the group, fastening members secured, respectively, to the so associated element ends, a triangular plate having a centrally located perforation receiving the said fastening members, and means passing through said perforation for securing the associated elements to one another at that location.

2. A structure comprising a group of three substantially rectilinear elements, an end of each of the elements of the group meeting at a location in common with an end of the other two elements of the group, hook members secured, respectively, to the so associated element ends, an equilaterally triangular plate having a centrally located perforation receiving the said hook members, and a screw-bolt passing through said perforation for securing the associated elements to one another at that location.

3. A skeleton structural network comprising sequentially assembled geometrical figures of regular tetrahedron type and/or of right-angled pyramid type associated to have adjoining triangular faces in common, the said geometrical figures being formed from substantially rectilinear structural elements associated at their ends to form the vertices of the said figures and secured thereat by independent fastening devices identical one with the other, said associated ends of the structural elements being provided with fastening members, and independent fastening elements securing said fastening members to said fastening devices, each of said fastening devices providing for three-way lateral expansion of the structural network.

4. A structure comprising a group of substantially rectilinear structural elements having ends meeting at a common location; a fastening device securing said ends of the structural elements to one another, said fastening device comprising a plate provided with a perforation; fastenin members secured, respectively, to said ends of the structural elements and received by said perforation; and an element passing through said perforation locking said fastening members tightly to the plate.

5. A structure comprising separate groups made up of three substantially rectilinear structural elements each, the ends of said structural elements of each respective group meeting at a common location; fastening members secured, respectively, to said ends of the structural elements; a fastening device securing said ends of the structural elements to one another, said fastening device comprising a plate for each group of associated ends of structural elements, each of said plates being provided with a perforation, the fastening members of the structural elements of each group being received by the perforation of its respective plate; and an element extending between the plates, having an end fitting into the perforation of each plate, the said ends being locked in position for tightly securing the fastening elements to the respective plates.

6. A fastening device comprising an arcuate triangular plate provided with a central perforation, a perforation in each of the vertices of said plate, and an element passing through said central perforation and being of lesser cross section than the area of the latter, said element being provided with means for looking it, together with other received elements, tightly within said central perforation.

'7. A method of construction which comprises sequentially assembling substantially rectilinear structural elements to collectively form geometrical figures of a regular tetrahedron type and/or of a right-angled pyramid type which have adjoining faces in common, the said structural elements having fastening members secured at opposite ends thereof; sequentially securing said structural elements to one another at the vertices of the geometrical figures, during the assembling operations, by means of independent fastening devices, which are substantially identical one with the other and which each provide for three way lateral expansion from its respective vertex location; securing each of said fastening devices to the fastening members of its respective group of associated structural element ends by individual fastening elements; and expanding the structure according to a desired scheme of construction by adding similar structural elements to any or all of the vertex locations to form additional geometrical figures of the stated type and/r types built onto the existing geometrical figures according to the stated relationship.

HENRY Bl LITTLEFIELD. 

